After a failed legislative session, public support is growing for Independence Party candidates, making them a legitimate threat to traditionally GOP and DFL districts this November. IP candidates were nearly denied their democratic right to run for office when Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer ordered their removal from the November ballot. The Minnesota Supreme Court reversed this injustice today.
Republicans and Democrats have divided the state into red and blue districts to simplify their efforts and to ensure the re-election of their incumbents. The Independence Party of Minnesota has introduced viable candidates into the election, creating several swing districts. This increases competition, which creates more work for political parties but improves the democratic process.
The leadership of the DFL and GOP continue to fuel a culture war by focusing on hot-button issues that incite their core group of base voters. The Independence Party is giving voice to the issues affecting Minnesotans in their everyday lives, such as rising healthcare costs, economic stability, and ending transportation gridlock. This elevates the level of political debate for all voters, regardless of party affiliation.
This action marks the third time in the last eighteen months that the Independence Party has beaten back attempts threatening its existence (in each of the last two legislative sessions, leaders attempted to change the rules after Independence Party candidates met their thresholds); each time, the entrenched parties overreached and today the Minnesota Supreme Court had to step in to ensure justice.
“Democracy requires a willingness to lose,” stated Laura Knudsen, IP spokeswoman and 2002 legislative candidate. “Republicans and Democrats must be willing to face opposition at the ballot box.”
“When you keep changing the rules to hang on to power, you inevitably will lose that power,” added State Party Chair Jim Moore. “It is human nature not to want to give up control, but democracy asks its leaders to rise above that desire.” He continued, “The two party stranglehold on Minnesota is loosening. I see the Secretary of State’s action as a power play to maintain that grip. It was unnecessary, causing considerable damage to our candidate’s campaigns as well as unnecessary stress for those civil servants charged with producing the November ballot.”
Moore also commended the Minnesota Supreme Court for its prompt attention to this case. “We are pleased with the quick action the justices took to rectify this injustice. Not only were our candidates well-served today, all of Minnesota was well-served.”
Serious questions still remain. Why was this law selectively applied this year and not in the 2000 primary? Why wasn’t the law included in a 43-page candidate handbook chock full of election statutes? Why not use the law to give voters a reason to vote in uncontested primary elections?
The Independence Party wishes to transcend these concerns and work to make the system better. “That is why we are calling for legislation to make the Office of the Secretary of State non-partisan - just as our 2002 Secretary of State Candidate, Dr. Dean Alger, called for,” Moore offered. “We simply cannot let this office even have the appearance of partisan actions.”
Released 9/27/04
Prepared and Paid for by the Independence Party of Minnesota, PO Box 40495, St. Paul MN 55104 (651) 487-9700